Author: Drum Africa Correspondent
Kebbi State Governor, Dr Nasir Idris, has ordered the immediate reconstruction of the Makera-Kangiwa road linking the state to neighbouring Niger State after it was washed away by recent flooding. Idris issued the directive on Wednesday during an inspection of the damaged section of the road in Makera, describing it as a strategic economic route vital for local and cross-border connectivity. A statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ahmed Idris, on Thursday noted that the governor emphasised the road’s importance to surrounding communities and regional trade with neighbouring countries. “Governor Idris emphasised its importance not only to local mobility…
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction of 146 out of 194 foreigners arrested for cybersecurity attacks relating to financial crimes in the country. “Last year, we arrested about 194 foreigners who were involved in various forms of financial crimes and activities that are inimical to the economic growth and development of our country. “Today, I can tell you that we have succeeded in prosecution and conviction of 146 of them. They will serve their jail terms and will be repatriated to their respective countries.” Olukoyede said. He said majority of the foreigners posed as Nigerians…
Human rights activist and the 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, has called for an upward review of remuneration of the rank and file of the Nigeria Police. Sowore, who spoke as a guest on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Wednesday, said there was no reason policemen should not earn ₦500,000 per month when the average senator they protect “earns ₦30 million per month”. He said, “We’re concerned about the people who are really doing the work, and it is time for us to be on their side to ensure that they are well paid,…
The Senate has passed the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons (Domestication and Enforcement) Bill, 2025 for third reading. The Kampala Convention, adopted by the African Union in 2009, is a regional treaty aimed at protecting and assisting internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Africa. The convention establishes a framework for preventing displacement, providing assistance to those displaced, and finding durable solutions for their return or reintegration. Nigeria signed the Kampala Convention in 2009 but hasn’t yet formally domesticated it into its national laws. Concerned about the IDPs plight, the Deputy Speaker of the House…
The Senate has passed for second reading a bill seeking an act to establish the Federal Oil and Gas Hospital in Benikrukru, Delta. This followed the presentation of the general principles of the bill by the sponsor, Sen. Joel Thomas (APC-Delta) at the plenary on Tuesday. Thomas said the bill sought to provide comprehensive and specialised medical services for workers in oil and gas industry and host communities affected by exploration activities. He said the bill would ensure that workers in the oil and gas industry and their host communities have unhindered access to adequate and quality healthcare services. This,…
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has responded to the House of Representatives’ concerns over stalled legislative collaboration, assuring that the Senate is committed to the swift consideration of over 160 House-passed bills currently pending in the upper chamber. Akpabio made the assurance on Tuesday while delivering a goodwill message at the Open Well of the House of Representatives. He revealed that since the House expressed its dissatisfaction last week, the Senate has already considered and passed six of the pending bills. The House, in a rare show of defiance, had resolved to stop considering Senate-passed bills, citing the Senate’s failure to…
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has set 150 as the cut-off mark for admission into universities in the country. JAMB made the decision on Tuesday during the 2025 Policy Meeting on Admissions, held at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja. It said the cut-off mark for colleges for nursing is 140, colleges of agriculture 100, and colleges of education 100. “The minimum admissible scores for admissions for the next academic session have been fixed at 150 for universities, 100 for polytechnics, 100 for colleges of education, and 140 for colleges of nursing sciences by the…
The Labour Party has disclosed plans to expel its former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over his involvement in an opposition coalition to unseat President Bola Tinubu. This was said by a chieftain of the party, Abayomi Arabambi, during a live appearance on Channels Television on Tuesday. He said Obi’s continued engagement with the coalition while still identifying as a Labour Party member was “unconstitutional” and “unacceptable.” “Let me make it very clear: we are convening a NEC (National Executive Council) meeting where he (Obi) will be expelled. It is unconstitutional for you to belong to two political parties at a…
The Federal Government has formally set 16 years as the minimum age for admission into Nigeria’s tertiary institutions. Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa announced this during the opening session of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) 2025 Policy Meeting on Tuesday in Abuja. “This policy decision reflects a balance between cognitive maturity and academic preparedness. 16 years is non-negotiable,” he said. He warned that the heads of institutions found to be engaged in admission fraud would face prosecution. He stressed that the age requirement is mandatory and non-negotiable, adding that heads of institutions found complicit in admission fraud…
The Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted likely flash flooding in some states, including Sokoto, Lagos, Benue, among other States, this July, 2025. This was revealed according to NiMet predictions for states at risk of flooding this month, which were released on Monday. The flash flood risk alert for July 2025 shows the states with varying probable risks of experiencing flash flooding events due to the onset of rainfall across the country. Other states with notable risk of flash flooding are; Kaduna, Zamfara, Yobe, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Jigawa, Adamawa, Taraba, Niger, Nasarawa, Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Edo, Cross River, Rivers and Akwa…